WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $15,875,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out Maine dredging projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. 

“These critical dredging projects for Maine harbors and rivers would help address significant safety and navigational concerns for commercial fishermen and cargo vessels as well as recreational boaters,” said Senator Collins. “As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine dredging projects in the FY24 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill is as follows: 

Camp Ellis, Saco

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Saco

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Project Purpose: To design for the Camp Ellis beach renourishment project.

Union River

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Ellsworth and Surry

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Project Purpose: To survey and dredge the Union River.

Frenchboro Harbor

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Frenchboro

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To survey and dredge Frenchboro Harbor.

Kennebunk River

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Kennebunkport and Kennebunk

Amount Requested: $5,100,000

Project Purpose: To survey and dredge the Kennebunk River.

George’s River

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Thomaston

Amount Requested: $175,000

Project Purpose: To prepare for a dredge of the George’s River.

Royal River

Recipient: Army Corps of Engineers

Project Location: Yarmouth

Amount Requested: $500,000

Project Purpose: To prepare for a dredge of the Royal River.

$100,000 from the Army Corps operations and maintenance account was also included to conduct surveys to prepare for a dredge of the Kennebec River.

This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24Energy and Water Development appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.     

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.